Yahoo Sports reports John Calipari is "open" to a return to the NBA
We have our first Calipari-to-NBA report of the offseason.
With six head coach openings in the NBA now – the Boston Celtics, Indiana Pacers, New Orleans Pelicans, Orlando Magic, Portland Trail Blazers and Washington Wizards all have vacancies – Kentucky coach John Calipari is reportedly open to a return to the league.
Yahoo Sports is reporting that, due to the “changing dynamics” and “massive expectations” at Kentucky, Calipari could be looking for a “second bite” in the NBA.
“Multiple sources tell Yahoo Sports Calipari would be open to jumping back into the NBA,” Ben Rohrbach and Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports reported. “He had a taste in the late 90s, taking over the then-New Jersey Nets following a stint at UMass that didn’t go particularly well. But the changing dynamics at Kentucky, along with the massive expectations from the fan base and alumni, could have him looking for a second bite.”
One high-ranking executive told Yahoo Sports that Calipari “may have maxed out at Kentucky.” Another added that “college basketball is a sinking ship” and the UK head coach is “much different than his first go-round but that ego is hard to tame.”
Calipari joins the likes of San Antonio Spurs assistant Becky Hammon, Philadelphia 76ers assistant Sam Cassell, Los Angeles Clippers assistant Chauncey Billups, San Antonio Spurs assistant Will Hardy, Brooklyn Nets assistant Ime Udoka, Los Angeles Lakers assistant Jason Kidd, Milwaukee Bucks assistant Darvin Ham, Dallas Mavericks assistant Jamahl Mosley and former Orlando Magic coach Steve Clifford as the top coaching candidates on the list.
“Calipari is 62, so if he wants to make a move back to the NBA, it’s likely it’ll have to be soon,” Yahoo Sports added. “He’s coached many of today’s stars and has been outwardly supportive through the years, letting it be known Kentucky is a pro factory.”
Would the Hall of Fame coach leave Kentucky for one of the six coaching vacancies in the league? If not, how fast will he release a statement denying interest in a return to the NBA?
Discuss This Article
Comments have moved.
Join the conversation and talk about this article and all things Kentucky Sports in the new KSR Message Board.
KSBoard